" C" Division - News Releases

(October 17, 2006) - An integrated police team led by the RCMP, formed to combat organized crime in aboriginal communities in Quebec, has been recognized with the prestigious Motorola Webber Seavey Award for Quality in Law Enforcement.

Sergeant Larry Aitken (RCMP), Gorden McGregor, President of the Association of First Nations Chiefs of Police of Quebec, and Inspector Yves Trudel (SQ).

The Aboriginal Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (A-CFSEU) is comprised of members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Sûreté du Québec and Association of First Nations Chiefs of Police of Quebec. Yesterday, it received the award during the annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Boston, Mass.

The award recognizes innovative policing programs that serve as models for law enforcement agencies around the world.

"Organized crime affects communities every day, both socially and financially. That is why tackling organized crime is one of the RCMP's priorities," said Assistant Commissioner Raf Souccar, Federal and International Operations. "Our focus is to work together to investigate, prosecute and dismantle groups detrimental to the interests of Aboriginal communities in Québec. We are achieving that goal through co-operation with our partners and the community."

Since its creation in 2005, the Aboriginal CFSEU has shown great efficiency in policing excellence during three major international operations that led to the arrest of more than 100 individuals for offences related to organized crime legislation, drug trafficking and money laundering.

In addition to the Aboriginal CFSEU, this year's other recipients are the Beaverton Police Department in Beaverton, Oregon and the District Police Nalgonda, Government of Andhra Pradesh, India.

The award is presented annually to law enforcement agencies and departments in recognition of their dedication to quality of life in local communities. A total of 123 law enforcement agencies from around the world submitted their crime-fighting programs for recognition this year.

For more information about this award and more details about Canada's winning entry, please refer to the IACP website at:

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